4.29.2008 8:27 AM

3 Virginia Tornadoes Injure 200 People

U.S. Has Seen Dramatic Increase in Tornadoes This Year

Tornado damage in Suffolk, Virginia.

Photo: Steve Helber / AP Photo

By Dan Shapley

The latest outbreak of tornadoes in the United States came Monday in Virginia, where three reported twisters injured more than 200 people, cut power to more than 1,300 homes and damaged many homes, according to the Washington Post.

The tornadoes reportedly touched down repeatedly, damaging land and homes in swaths that were many miles long.

According to the Associated Press, at least one of the tornadoes was estimated to have winds between 86 mph to 110 mph, making it an F1 or F2 tornado on the Fujita scale.

The Suffolk Red Cross Chapter Disaster Relief Fund is accepting contributions (money, not clothes or other items). To contribute, call (757) 539-6645 or write to American Red Cross Suffolk Chapter 157 North Main St. Suffolk, VA 23434.

While initial reports of tornadoes are often higher than actual, given that people often report the same twister and it can be recorded twice, the storm season in 2008 got off to an early and unprecedented start, and continues to produce damaging tornadoes.

2008 tornado trends chart
Storm Prediction Center

According to the Storm Prediction Center, the 673 tornadoes reported through Tuesday in the U.S. have reached a total not normally seen till late May or early June, after the spring tornado season has produced its expected storms. 2008 has been unusual, in part, because so many tornadoes were recorded during the winter, when storm activity is typically low. Warm weather fronts moving across the U.S. helped usher in those strange and often violent, or even deadly, outbreaks.

Some scientists have warned that global warming will create conditions that will make tornado outbreaks more frequent and violent.

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